Classification of the genus Acacia (in the wider sense) has been subject to considerable debate. It is generally agreed that there are valid reasons for breaking it up into several distinct genera, but there has been disagreement over the way this should be done. As of 2017, it is widely (but not completely) accepted that the section that includes the majority of the Australian species (including this one) should retain the name Acacia, whilst other sections of the genus should be transferred to the genera Acaciella, Mariosousa, Senegalia and Vachellia[].

Common Name:

General Information

Acacia victoriae is a dense or straggly, somewhat spiny shrub or small tree usually growing 2 - 5 metres tall but with occasional specimens to 9 metres[]. The main stems are commonly around 6cm in diameter, but can reach 12 - 18cm[]. The plant readily suckers and can form thickets[]. Although it produces leaves as a seedling, llike most members of the genus the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes[].
The edible seed is gathered from the wild for local and also commercial use. A traditional, Aboriginal food, the seed has become popular as the main supplier of seeds for the 'bush tucker' industry and is commonly planted to satisfy the demand for bush foods[]. The plant has the potential to become a commercial crop in Western Australia[].
The tree has the potential to become a weed when grown in moister climates outside its native range[].

Known Hazards

The seed of many Acacia species, including this one, is edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten safely as a fairly major part of the diet. Not all species are edible, however, and some can contain moderate levels of toxins[]. Especially when harvesting from the wild, especial care should be taken to ensure correct identification of any plants harvested for food[].
Especially in times of drought, many Acacia species can concentrate high levels of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide in their foliage, making them dangerous for herbivores to eat.

Botanical References

Range

Australia - all mainland states.

Habitat

Found in a variety of habitats on plains and gentle slopes, frequently in sandy soils along watercourses; also on stony ridges and coastal dunes; at elevations up to 750 metres[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the arid and semi-arid warm temperate to tropical areas of Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 750 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 12 - 32°c, but can tolerate 5 - 38°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -10°c or lower, though young growth is more sensitive and can be killed at -1°c[]. The plant prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 300 - 800mm, but tolerates 100 - 1,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in most soils, being able to tolerate occasional short-term inundation[]. Tolerant of saline soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7.5, tolerating 5 - 8.5[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
The plant is an ornamental species suited to growing in arid and semi-arid areas, yet adaptable to cooler moist climates[].
Acacia victoriae is an easily harvested species. The pods are held on the extremities of the branches and once fully mature, a gust of wind is sufficient to remove them. The pods may be shed unopened or may open on the plant with the seeds still attached by the funicle. Pods can be collected by manually shaking or gently beating the branches and collecting them on a ground sheet. The seeds separate from the pods with minimal mechanical processing. The plant bears uniformly heavy seed crops and is one of the few acacias whose seed can be collected from the ground[].
The plant responds very well to coppicing, and also produces suckers[, ].
Trees are fast-growing[], but relatively short-lived, with a probable lifespan of 10 - 15 years[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[]. A delicious flavour[]. The seed can be dried and ground into a powder then used with wheat flour etc when making bread and cakes[]. The dark, rich flour produced from the seed is of high quality with overtones of coffee and chicory in the flavour[]. The pods are also harvested when the seeds are fully formed, but still green - the pods are then lightly roasted and the seed eaten[].
Acacia seeds are highly nutritious and contain around 26% protein, 26% available carbohydrate, 32% fibre and 9% fat. The fat content is higher than most legumes with the aril providing the bulk of fatty acids present. These fatty acids are largely unsaturated. The energy content is high in all species tested, averaging 1480 ±270 kJ per 100g. The seeds are low glycaemic index foods - the starch is digested and absorbed very slowly, producing a small, but sustained rise in blood glucose and so delaying the onset of exhaustion in prolonged exercise[].

The ground seed can be used to produce a high quality, caffeine-free coffee-like beverage[].

The roasted seed can be used as a coffee substitute[].

A white gum found on the trunk can be eaten[].

Medicinal

The plant contains compounds called avicins which have been shown to inhibit inflammation and cancer in laboratory studies[].

The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc[, ].
Many Acacia trees also yield greater or lesser quantities of a gum from the trunk and stems. This is sometimes taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Acacia victoriae is a fast growing, salt tolerant species that can readily regenerate from suckers and sometimes forms thickets. It is often used in land reclamation and minesite rehabilitation work in arid areas[, ].
The plant is useful as a low windbreak and for soil stabilisation in dry country[]. It can be used for sand dune stabilization[]. Numbers may increase markedly during a succession of wet seasons and it can become a nuisance, especially around watering points[].
In Western New South Wales the presence of this tree in any locality is always considered a sure indication of underground water. The roots have been traced to a depth of around 25 metres, and the plant always looks to be the freshest green of all the plants in the district[].

Other Uses

The branches and twigs exude a clear gum[]. The gum is found in very small quantities[]. Much of it is of a rich amber colour when freshly exuded, while portions of it are nearly as pale as the best Turkey gum arabic. It is sparkling and clean looking, and would be a very acceptable article of commerce if it could be obtained in quantity. It is readily and completely soluble in water, and very easily reducible to a powder, on account of its somewhat vesicular nature[].

The wood is soft, but very tough[]. It is used traditionally for making the blades of spears[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse[].The dried seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow the seed in Spring in a greenhouse. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them[].